AULANDER, N.C. — Roanoke Electric Cooperative is partnering with the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at N.C. State University to offer a one-year immersive fellowship to a K12 educator within the cooperative’s service area of Halifax, Hertford, and Bertie counties. Once selected, the teacher will be part of the 2023-24 cohort of Kenan Fellows.
The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership connects outstanding educators with mentors in local industry and business settings, creating opportunities that build meaningful relationships. Kenan Fellows spend three weeks on-site with their mentor company in a summer internship where they make relevant connections between their classroom and authentic STEM practices in the workplace. Over the course of the fellowship, educators develop a deeper understanding of local industries, their workforce needs, and how they can make relevant connections for their students.
The selected educator will work alongside mentors and industry experts at Roanoke Electric Cooperative, and then translate how real-world STEM lessons apply to their students. They will explore the history of the cooperative business model, see how the co-op distributes electricity throughout the region and learn how Roanoke Electric Cooperative is using innovation and technology to build the grid of the future. The selected teacher will then use the experience to create electrifying lessons that will help students not only understand where electricity comes from and how it is produced, but also increase their awareness of the various career pathways in the energy field.
“Roanoke Electric Cooperative is excited to offer this fellowship to an outstanding local educator,” said Dennis McFee, vice president of member services, marketing, and public relations at Roanoke Electric Cooperative. “Partnering with the Kenan Fellows Program and local educators gives us the incredible opportunity to introduce students to our cooperative and our local workforce and inspire them through innovation and technology as we work to build a brighter future for our community.”
The fellowships are awarded through a competitive application process. Once selected, educators will develop curriculum and teaching resources that bring workforce preparedness and cutting-edge research into the hands of students. As part of the fellowship, the educators participate in three residential professional learning institutes focused on project-based learning, digital learning, and leadership development. Teachers who complete the program say they feel a deeper connection to their community and grow professionally as part of a statewide network of teacher leaders.
Visit our fellowship page to learn more about the program. Fellowships awards will be announced in May during National Teacher Appreciation Week.
About Roanoke Electric Cooperative: Roanoke Electric Cooperative provides service to 14,500 members in Bertie, Hertford, Halifax, Northampton, Gates, Perquimans and Chowan counties. Chartered in 1938 to provide light and power to farms, the co-op today serves as an engine of economic development and provides educational, recreational and community assistance services to enhance the quality of life of its member-owners throughout the diverse communities it serves. Roanoke Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
About the Kenan Fellows Program: The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership is a K12 STEM education initiative of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology & Science at N.C. State University. For more information visit, kenanfellows.org.